Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month

WHEREAS, muscular dystrophy is not a single disease or disorder that affects everyone the same way, but an umbrella term covering 43 different types of neuromuscular diseases ranging in severity; and

WHEREAS, all muscular dystrophies result in progressive muscle weakness, from mild muscle weakness to complete paralysis of all voluntary muscles, including those used for breathing or swallowing; and

WHEREAS, more than 100,000 individuals in the United States are affected by one of the 43 different types of muscular dystrophy; and

WHEREAS, there are four times as many new clinical trials underway than in the 1990’s, and there are more new drugs expected in the next five years than in the previous five decades in the fight for a cure for neuromuscular disease; and

WHEREAS, raising public awareness of these diseases will continue to facilitate the discovery of treatments and cures, as well as bringing much needed finding for support and services for families in the state of Alabama affected by muscular dystrophy; and

WHEREAS, Muscular Dystrophy Awareness month is a special opportunity to educate the public about muscular dystrophy and issues within the muscular dystrophy community:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim August 2014, as

Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month

in the state of Alabama.